lofty

/ˈlɒfti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɔːfti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlȯf-tē/ (ame, mw)

lofty — adjective

  • loftypositive
  • loftiercomparative
  • loftiestsuperlative

1. rising far above the ground and drawing attention because it looks grand or powe

1.形容詞B2
釋義

rising far above the ground and drawing attention because it looks grand or powerful.

例句

Ilan looked up at the lofty cliff rising behind the fishing village.

lofty + natural feature such as cliff or peak

From the train, Hari could see a lofty bridge crossing the wide river.

同義詞
  • towering

    stronger and more dramatic; suggests rising above everything nearby

  • elevated

    often just means raised above the usual level, with less grandeur

  • tall

    the neutral everyday word for great height

反義詞
  • low

    close to the ground or not high

  • short

    not high in vertical size

  • stubby

    short and thick rather than rising upward

文法句型

lofty + noun

用法筆記

Most often used before nouns for buildings, trees, roofs, cliffs, and other things whose height feels impressive, not merely measurable. For admirable ideals use sense 2; for a superior attitude use sense 3.

常見錯誤

❌The tree is very lofty in the park.
✅The tree is very tall in the park.
💡'lofty' is more literary and suggests striking height, not an everyday measurement word.
❌My baby is lofty for her age.
✅My baby is tall for her age.
💡use 'tall' for ordinary comparisons of people's height.

2. guided by admirable values or generous ideals, rather than by selfish advantage.

2.形容詞C1
釋義

guided by admirable values or generous ideals, rather than by selfish advantage.

例句

Élise set a lofty goal of opening free evening classes for migrant workers.

lofty + goal / ideal / vision

The charity kept its lofty promise to serve families no company would help.

approving use with promise or principle

同義詞
  • noble

    stresses moral worth and worthy behaviour

  • high-minded

    focuses on serious principles and moral aims

  • idealistic

    emphasizes hope and principle, sometimes with less practicality

反義詞
  • selfish

    concerned mainly with personal benefit

  • petty

    small-minded and lacking generosity

  • base

    morally low or unworthy

文法句型

lofty + noun

用法筆記

Usually modifies abstract nouns such as goal, ideal, principle, promise, or vision, and it is normally approving. If the speaker sounds as if they are looking down on others, that is sense 3 instead.

常見錯誤

❌She got lofty marks in chemistry.
✅She got high marks in chemistry.
💡this sense describes admirable ideals or principles, not scores.
❌They built a lofty wall around the garden.
✅They built a high wall around the garden.
💡use sense 1 for physical height, not this moral sense.

3. showing cold superiority, as if other people deserve less respect than you do.

3.形容詞C1
釋義

showing cold superiority, as if other people deserve less respect than you do.

例句

Obi's lofty reply made the interns feel as if their questions were childish.

lofty + reply / tone showing superiority

Beatrix gave the waiter a lofty smile and waved him away.

同義詞
  • haughty

    more formal and suggests cold distance as well as pride

  • condescending

    focuses on talking to others as if they are less intelligent

  • supercilious

    more literary; emphasizes visible disdain

反義詞
  • humble

    not claiming special importance

  • modest

    avoids showing off or looking down on others

  • approachable

    friendly and easy for others to speak to

文法句型

lofty + noun

sound lofty

用法筆記

Common with words such as tone, manner, smile, reply, or look, and it is clearly disapproving. This sense criticizes how someone treats other people, not the moral quality of their ideas.

常見錯誤

❌The hotel has lofty service standards.
✅The hotel has high service standards.
💡this sense criticizes a superior attitude, not a high level of quality.
❌Her report contains lofty facts about pollution.
✅Her report contains important facts about pollution.
💡lofty here describes an arrogant manner, not the seriousness of information.